Ep 9. The "New" Classicism

Great Music of the 20th Century is a docuseries that takes a closer look at the most influential and iconic music pieces from the twentieth century. In season 1 episode 9, titled "The 'New' Classicism," the show delves into the unique blend of modernism and traditionalism that defined the neo-classical style of the late 20th century.

The episode begins with an overview of the 1960s music scene, which was dominated by experimental and avant-garde styles such as serialism and atonality. However, a group of composers in Europe and America began to reject this trend and instead turned to the classical forms and structures of the past for inspiration. This movement became known as the "new" classicism, and it had a profound impact on the music of the 70s and 80s.

The first segment of the episode explores the work of Igor Stravinsky, who is widely considered to be the father of the neo-classical style. The show explains how Stravinsky's music drew heavily on the Baroque and Classical periods, but also included dissonant and unpredictable elements that made it uniquely modern. The episode takes a closer look at his piece "Pulcinella," which was a reimagining of music from the 18th century and became one of his most famous works.

The episode then moves on to discuss other influential composers of the new classicism, including Aaron Copland and Paul Hindemith. The show explains how Copland's work blended American folk music with classical forms, creating a distinctive style that helped define the sound of mid-20th-century America. Hindemith, on the other hand, took a more academic approach to the new classicism, focusing on intricate counterpoint and complex harmonic structures.

The latter half of the episode focuses on the impact of the new classicism on popular music of the 1980s. The show explains how bands like Talking Heads and The Police incorporated elements of classical music into their songs, creating a distinctive sound that appealed to a broad audience. The episode takes a closer look at The Police's hit song "Every Breath You Take," which features a repeating chord progression that is a nod to the classical music structure of a passacaglia.

The episode concludes with a look at the ongoing influence of the new classicism on music today. The show discusses how contemporary composers continue to draw on the traditional forms and structures of classical music, but also incorporate elements of jazz, rock, and electronic music. The episode ends with a discussion of the enduring legacy of the new classicism, both as a style in its own right and as an inspiration for new generations of musicians.

Overall, season 1 episode 9 of Great Music of the 20th Century provides a fascinating look at the neo-classical style of the late 20th century. Through interviews with experts and archival footage, the episode explores the unique blend of tradition and modernism that defined this movement and had a lasting impact on music of all genres.